TYPES OF TYPES OF RESEARCHRESEARCH

Dr. Ali Abd El-Monsif ThabetDr. Ali Abd El-Monsif Thabet

PROPOSAL FORMAT PROPOSAL FORMAT 1. Title of research study1. Title of research study 2. Name and title of investigator/s and 2. Name and title of investigator/s and

participating facility participating facility 3. Introduction3. Introduction * Problem statement, Subproblems* Problem statement, Subproblems * Purpose of the study.* Purpose of the study. * Significance of the study* Significance of the study * Hypothesis* Hypothesis * Rationale* Rationale *Definitions*Definitions

PROPOSAL FORMAT PROPOSAL FORMAT 4. Literature review4. Literature review 5. Method5. Method ** Design Design * Sample* Sample * Equipment and materials* Equipment and materials * Procedure* Procedure * Data analysis* Data analysis 6. Results6. Results * Statistical analysis* Statistical analysis * Tables and graphs* Tables and graphs

PROPOSAL FORMAT PROPOSAL FORMAT 7. Discussion7. Discussion * Interpretation of the results * Interpretation of the results 8. Summary and conclusion8. Summary and conclusion 9. Arabic conclusion9. Arabic conclusion 10. Appendices10. Appendices 11. Bibliography11. Bibliography

Title of Research StudyTitle of Research Study

The words in the title should concise The words in the title should concise but sufficient to give the reviewer a but sufficient to give the reviewer a good idea of what the project is about good idea of what the project is about or what is being proposed for study. or what is being proposed for study.

The title may reflect the nature of the The title may reflect the nature of the major problem or be a statement of a major problem or be a statement of a sub problem. Although the title must be sub problem. Although the title must be free of excessive or redundant wording, free of excessive or redundant wording, brevity should not reduce clarity.brevity should not reduce clarity.

Name and Title of Name and Title of Investigators and Investigators and

Participating FacilitiesParticipating Facilities The principal investigator's name and The principal investigator's name and

title are listed first and then names of title are listed first and then names of other investigators follow in order of other investigators follow in order of contribution to the study. contribution to the study.

An investigator's title may be the highest An investigator's title may be the highest earned degree or position.earned degree or position.

The participating facility is usually the The participating facility is usually the place of employment of the investigator place of employment of the investigator (s) or place where the research is to be (s) or place where the research is to be conducted.conducted.

IntroductionIntroduction This section is the beginning of the main This section is the beginning of the main

report and sets the stage for the paper by report and sets the stage for the paper by presenting the framework on which the study presenting the framework on which the study was conceived. was conceived.

The word "introduction" is not used as a The word "introduction" is not used as a heading but is understood without labeling. heading but is understood without labeling.

The introduction contains the purpose, The introduction contains the purpose, background for the study, the hypothesis, the background for the study, the hypothesis, the research question, and are view of literature research question, and are view of literature relevant to the top of the paper. relevant to the top of the paper.

Information included in this section should Information included in this section should be a synthesis of reports of logically arranged be a synthesis of reports of logically arranged in sequential or chronological order.in sequential or chronological order.

The Research ProblemThe Research Problem

A brief statement of the A brief statement of the problem is a must. problem is a must.

If the statement is that of a If the statement is that of a major problem, then the sub major problem, then the sub problem to which the proposal problem to which the proposal is addressed must be stated. is addressed must be stated.

Not all studies have Not all studies have subproblems, but many do.subproblems, but many do.

ExampleExample Major problem:Major problem: How can force of contracting How can force of contracting

muscles be increased? muscles be increased? Sub problem:Sub problem: What is the effect of various What is the effect of various

hip angles on the quadriceps hip angles on the quadriceps femoris muscle force during femoris muscle force during dynamic resistive exercise ? dynamic resistive exercise ?

The sub problem in this example The sub problem in this example is related to the major problem is related to the major problem and is one step in answering and is one step in answering "how can the force of contracting "how can the force of contracting muscles be increased”. muscles be increased”.

The simplest way to define a The simplest way to define a research problem is to state a research problem is to state a question.question.

Purpose of studyPurpose of study

If a single objective is to be achieved If a single objective is to be achieved by the research, a succinct statement by the research, a succinct statement of purpose of the study should be of purpose of the study should be stated. stated.

If more than one objective is to be If more than one objective is to be achieved, the objectives should be achieved, the objectives should be listed in outline form to reduce listed in outline form to reduce wording and to catch the reviewer wording and to catch the reviewer attention. attention.

Examples:Examples: To determine the effect of the To determine the effect of the

abdominal muscles exercises on the abdominal muscles exercises on the function of the pelvic floor muscles in function of the pelvic floor muscles in treating of mild stress urinary treating of mild stress urinary incontinence.incontinence.

To determine the effect of low intensity To determine the effect of low intensity laser therapy on the muscle fiber size in laser therapy on the muscle fiber size in experimented rats versus control.experimented rats versus control.

To compare the effect of magnetic To compare the effect of magnetic therapy versus weight bearing ex's on therapy versus weight bearing ex's on osteoporotic patients.osteoporotic patients.

Activities leading to Activities leading to problem identificationproblem identification

Observation in the clinicObservation in the clinic A problem might be the result of a gap A problem might be the result of a gap

in a body of knowledgein a body of knowledge Reading and analyzing the literature in Reading and analyzing the literature in

a particular area of interest is perhaps a particular area of interest is perhaps the most satisfactory approach to the most satisfactory approach to identifying research problems.identifying research problems.

Controversial issues should be Controversial issues should be examinedexamined

Replication of previous studies.Replication of previous studies.

Considerations in Considerations in selecting a problemselecting a problem

1.1. Interest, training, and knowledgeInterest, training, and knowledge The researcher must ask whether the The researcher must ask whether the

problem is sufficiently interesting to problem is sufficiently interesting to pursue and devote the time required to pursue and devote the time required to seek the solution. seek the solution.

The researcher must be curious, motivated The researcher must be curious, motivated and interested in the specific problem.and interested in the specific problem.

The student is strongly advised to have The student is strongly advised to have considerable interest in the problem considerable interest in the problem before undertaking the required projectbefore undertaking the required project

2.2. Solvability of problem.Solvability of problem.

The student may select an The student may select an interesting problem, but the interesting problem, but the problem may not be answerable problem may not be answerable for various reasons. for various reasons.

The problem may be too broad The problem may be too broad or too complex for a solution or too complex for a solution within the capability of the within the capability of the available personnel or facilities.available personnel or facilities.

3- Professional 3- Professional contributioncontribution

The value or gains of the research The value or gains of the research must be considered by the must be considered by the researcher before starting a study or researcher before starting a study or even before seeking approval for the even before seeking approval for the study. study.

The researcher should ask whether The researcher should ask whether the problem is too small (trivial) to the problem is too small (trivial) to be of any value or whether the be of any value or whether the problem is too large (complex) to be problem is too large (complex) to be answered in a single study.answered in a single study.

4- Availability of 4- Availability of technology, equipment technology, equipment

and facilityand facilityIf the technical background of If the technical background of the researcher is inadequate the researcher is inadequate in a specific area, in a specific area, consultation with experts consultation with experts must be arranged (e.g. a must be arranged (e.g. a statistician, electrical statistician, electrical technician, or photographic technician, or photographic technician)technician)

LimitationsLimitations Limitations are conditions or variables not Limitations are conditions or variables not

under the control of the researcher. under the control of the researcher. The limiting conditions can influence the The limiting conditions can influence the

outcome of the investigation. outcome of the investigation. Limitations may include:Limitations may include: 1. The type of measuring device 1. The type of measuring device 2. The type of subject who volunteers for 2. The type of subject who volunteers for

the studythe study 3. The method of selecting the subjects3. The method of selecting the subjects 4. The economics of undertaking the 4. The economics of undertaking the

problem solutionproblem solution 5. The moral issues concerning risks. 5. The moral issues concerning risks.

DelimitationDelimitation The problem must be narrowed so that the question The problem must be narrowed so that the question

can be answered. can be answered. The delimitation guide the research by The delimitation guide the research by

establishing limits or boundaries, by narrowing the establishing limits or boundaries, by narrowing the selected problem, and by defining the scope of the selected problem, and by defining the scope of the investigation. investigation.

The problem be defined by listing independent The problem be defined by listing independent variables in four categories: variables in four categories:

l. Treatment variables (type, duration, intensity, l. Treatment variables (type, duration, intensity, consistency). consistency).

2. Subject variables (age, sex, physical status)2. Subject variables (age, sex, physical status) 3.Therapist variables (age, sex, experience, 3.Therapist variables (age, sex, experience,

professional attitude).professional attitude). 4.Condition variables (type, severity, location, 4.Condition variables (type, severity, location,

concurrent problems).concurrent problems).

Significance of studySignificance of study

The investigator must explain :The investigator must explain : Why time and effort should be spent Why time and effort should be spent

on the study.on the study. What the study is expected to What the study is expected to

contribute to the problem or to a contribute to the problem or to a body of knowledge. body of knowledge.

How much this study is beneficial How much this study is beneficial for the related field, for the whole for the related field, for the whole population, for the clinicians and for population, for the clinicians and for the economy of the country should.the economy of the country should.

Significance of studySignificance of study 1. 1. The size of the problemThe size of the problem a.a. Related to the populationRelated to the population b.b. Related to the country's economyRelated to the country's economy c.c. Related to patient psycho-social aspectsRelated to patient psycho-social aspects 2. The difference of the experimented 2. The difference of the experimented

technique from other previous techniquestechnique from other previous techniques 3. The advantages of the new technique over 3. The advantages of the new technique over

the other techniques like time saving, money the other techniques like time saving, money wise, safety, and the practicability of the wise, safety, and the practicability of the technique.technique.

4. The weak points of other approaches 4. The weak points of other approaches regarding techniques, design, patient regarding techniques, design, patient selections, statistical analysis and selections, statistical analysis and interpretation of the resultsinterpretation of the results

RationaleRationale Scientific justification for problem solving.Scientific justification for problem solving. It should convince the reviewer about the It should convince the reviewer about the

thinking of problem solving. thinking of problem solving. The scientific justification of interaction The scientific justification of interaction

between independent variable/s and the between independent variable/s and the dependent variable/s should be clarified dependent variable/s should be clarified by the investigator. by the investigator.

Each paragraph should carry a specific Each paragraph should carry a specific idea, and the whole subject indicate idea, and the whole subject indicate scientific analysis of the problem and its scientific analysis of the problem and its way of solving. way of solving.

RationaleRationale 1.1. 1st Paragraph1st Paragraph It include the size of the problem and its influence on It include the size of the problem and its influence on

the whole population and on the economical studies.the whole population and on the economical studies. 2.2. 2nd Paragraph2nd Paragraph It includes demonstration of the treatment trials for It includes demonstration of the treatment trials for

solving this problem and shows their effectiveness solving this problem and shows their effectiveness and weakness. and weakness.

3.3. 3rd Paragraph3rd Paragraph It includes the nature of the pathological It includes the nature of the pathological

background of the problem that needs to be solved.background of the problem that needs to be solved. 4.4. 4th Paragraph4th Paragraph It includes the relationship and physiological It includes the relationship and physiological

effect of treatment intervention on the underlying effect of treatment intervention on the underlying pathology of the problem and how it ca help to pathology of the problem and how it ca help to resolve this problem.resolve this problem.

HYPOTHESIS TESTINGHYPOTHESIS TESTING HypothesisHypothesis The, formulation of hypothesis reduces the The, formulation of hypothesis reduces the

problem to conditional relations which can be problem to conditional relations which can be tested by the research process. tested by the research process.

A hypothesis is a proposition that can be tested. It A hypothesis is a proposition that can be tested. It is an idea about the relation between two or more is an idea about the relation between two or more variables. variables.

Hypothesis testing enables the researcher to Hypothesis testing enables the researcher to compare theoretical results with those obtained by compare theoretical results with those obtained by experimentation. experimentation.

Gathering and analyzing data are ways of Gathering and analyzing data are ways of determining whether theoretical and experimental determining whether theoretical and experimental results are in agreement or whether the difference results are in agreement or whether the difference in results warrants rejection of the theory.in results warrants rejection of the theory.

The hypothesis can be tested in two forms:The hypothesis can be tested in two forms:1. Alternate hypothesis or Directional 1. Alternate hypothesis or Directional hypothesishypothesis

2. 2. Null hypothesisNull hypothesis Alternate hypothesis Alternate hypothesis states that a difference states that a difference

does exist between variables. If a researcher does exist between variables. If a researcher has some evidence (personal observations or has some evidence (personal observations or literature reports showing trends) to believe literature reports showing trends) to believe that one method is better than another, then a that one method is better than another, then a directional hypothesis can be tested. directional hypothesis can be tested. For For exampleexample: dynamic exercises are better than : dynamic exercises are better than isometric exercises for increase strength isometric exercises for increase strength throughout the entire range of joint motion.throughout the entire range of joint motion.

Null hypothesis Null hypothesis states that no difference states that no difference exists between variables. Null (means exists between variables. Null (means without value or significance). In hypothesis without value or significance). In hypothesis testing, the null hypothesis implies that the testing, the null hypothesis implies that the difference between the means of the difference between the means of the different values is equal to zero. different values is equal to zero.

The null hypothesis is used commonly in The null hypothesis is used commonly in experimental research because of experimental research because of simplicity. The null hypothesis is a clear simplicity. The null hypothesis is a clear and unambiguous statement. and unambiguous statement.

For example:For example: ice packs and hot packs are ice packs and hot packs are equally effective for treating patients equally effective for treating patients having chronic low back strains.having chronic low back strains.

LITERATURE REVIEWLITERATURE REVIEW Related ResearchRelated Research The most relative The most relative studies supporting the studies supporting the

investigator's investigator's argument should be cited in argument should be cited in this section.this section.

The investigator must present the The investigator must present the information information in a in a logical sequence, sometimes logical sequence, sometimes chronologically, to demonstrate his chronologically, to demonstrate his knowledge of previous research.knowledge of previous research.

The story must convince the reviewer that The story must convince the reviewer that previous research has not answered the previous research has not answered the question or tested the hypothesis stated by question or tested the hypothesis stated by the investigator.the investigator.

If any current studies overlap the problem If any current studies overlap the problem of the proposal, the investigator should of the proposal, the investigator should show how this proposal differs from those show how this proposal differs from those studies or how it will complement them. studies or how it will complement them.

A survey of literature relating to the A survey of literature relating to the problem must be undertaken. The reason problem must be undertaken. The reason for this are:for this are:

1. To ascertain originality of research. 1. To ascertain originality of research. 2. 2. To provide ideas for solving the To provide ideas for solving the

problem. problem. 3. To avoid repetitious findings3. To avoid repetitious findings

Planning the literature Planning the literature review review

The researcher must be familiar The researcher must be familiar with the valuable sources in the with the valuable sources in the librarylibrary

Primary literature; (periodicals, Primary literature; (periodicals, books).books).

Secondary literature (Abstracts)Secondary literature (Abstracts)

Reviewing ProcessReviewing Process The task of reviewing is becoming The task of reviewing is becoming

very difficult because of very difficult because of tremendous amounts of literature. tremendous amounts of literature.

This process vary from subject to This process vary from subject to subject according to:subject according to:

Familiarity with the library, Familiarity with the library, The demand of the subject or area The demand of the subject or area

being reviewed, and being reviewed, and The detail desired. The detail desired.

Personal Abstract FilePersonal Abstract File Isolation of each reference on a single Isolation of each reference on a single

index card or attached cards is important index card or attached cards is important because as review of the literature because as review of the literature continues, considerable information is continues, considerable information is available and collected. available and collected.

The researcher should choose the size of The researcher should choose the size of the card (7.6 x 12.7, 12.7 x 20.3 cm) on the card (7.6 x 12.7, 12.7 x 20.3 cm) on which to record bibliographical and which to record bibliographical and abstract information and notes.abstract information and notes.

The abstract provides sufficient The abstract provides sufficient information to determine whether the information to determine whether the report is relative to the research problem. report is relative to the research problem.

Information ResourcesInformation Resources AbstractsAbstracts A number of journals provide readers A number of journals provide readers

with an abstracting services, which can with an abstracting services, which can save time in locating the original reports. save time in locating the original reports. Abstracts should be considered as Abstracts should be considered as secondary sources of literature review. secondary sources of literature review.

JournalsJournals Journals are primary sources for seeking Journals are primary sources for seeking

information for investigative work on a information for investigative work on a particular topic. Selection of journals particular topic. Selection of journals appropriate to the investigator's topic appropriate to the investigator's topic depends on the subject being pursueddepends on the subject being pursued

ReprintsReprints If a published report is particularly If a published report is particularly

useful, then a reproduction or useful, then a reproduction or reprint should be obtained. A reprint reprint should be obtained. A reprint can be placed in the personal file can be placed in the personal file and is available as needed. and is available as needed.

Reprints of recent references (within Reprints of recent references (within 2 years) can be obtained by writing 2 years) can be obtained by writing directly to the author and requesting directly to the author and requesting a reprint of the article.a reprint of the article.

BooksBooks Books on the most areas of interest are Books on the most areas of interest are

available in medical libraries. Books give available in medical libraries. Books give basic material in varying degrees of depth basic material in varying degrees of depth according to the book's purpose, but not the according to the book's purpose, but not the most up-to-date sources of information. most up-to-date sources of information. Their bibliographies offer important sources Their bibliographies offer important sources of information.of information.

MicrofilmsMicrofilms Microfilm provides the researcher with the Microfilm provides the researcher with the

original article. The reader can read any original article. The reader can read any page of the article on a large viewing page of the article on a large viewing screen.screen.

Thank you